Catching his breath, Roquewei bent down to inspect the greenery that had suddenly appeared at the Ymplerim’s demise. So this is what happens?

His mind was whirling, trying to comprehend this new information. 

The elf’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a scream. Turning, he saw the other half of the creature he had split in two racing across the clearing towards Sofia. Terrified, Sofia ran back into the forest, with the Ymplerim following close behind.

No, no! She’s going to lead it right back to Lyfay!

“Porgi!” Roquewei called out. “Don’t let them get to the gate!” The Aslavu dove after them. 

Roquewei dashed across the clearing, the pain in his body overwhelmed by adrenaline, only to be met by another screech at the edge of the forest. A third Ymplerim had appeared, flanking the warrior. Caught off guard, Roquewei tumbled into the thick underbrush.

The Ymplerim was soon upon him, knocking the elf to the ground and weighing him down with its gaseous mass. Roquewei could feel the creature’s cold appendage holding down his sword hand while its oily fingers gripped his face.

“You will never win, warrior,” the creature chuckled as its long tongue lolled out of its hideous mouth. “We are too strong. They have given us the power!”

Roquewei struggled against the creature, anxiety building in his heart as he realized he would not be able to overpower it. He looked desperately for anything to help him break free. All he could see was the browned and withered vegetation surrounding them. Their pain was overwhelming.

The Ymplerim turned the elf’s gaze and leaned in closer to peer hauntingly into Roquewei’s eyes. “Soon there will be nothing stopping us from overtaking this realm — or yours!”

The thought of Lyfay falling to the Ymplerim terrified and enraged Roquewei. No! That can’t happen. It must not happen!  

“I will never let that happen!” he shouted. A brilliant light shone from Roquewei’s pendant, blinding his opponent. The creature shrunk from the light, freeing Roquewei’s sword hand.

Immediately, the elf thrust his sword into the Ymplerim’s core. With a crack of electricity, the Ymplerim screeched, fell, and dissipated. The surrounding vegetation became green again, though not fully healed.

Without a second thought, Roquewei jumped to his feet. I have to keep the Ymplerim from entering Lyfay! 

He soon sighted Porgi fighting the other Ymplerim through the trees and saw Sofia running towards where they had entered the rainforest. “Stop!” Roquewei called after her. “Don’t lead it back to the gate!”

In the next breath, he shouted, “Porgi, go after her!” 

His command distracted the Aslavu, giving the Ymplerim the chance to strike the bird. In horror, Roquewei realized his mistake. Anguish filled his voice as he cried out, “Porgi, no!” 

Roquewei was too far away to help his chompánach, the thick underbrush and overwhelming pain from surrounding flora hindering him. He watched helplessly as the Ymplerim began pulling the life force from the Aslavu. Suddenly a rock knocked Porgi out of the Ymplerim’s deathly grip. 

“Ah, yes,” Roquewei heard the Ymplerim say. “You are worth the trouble.” Sofia turned on her heels and ran again into the forest. 

Finally, Roquewei reached Porgi. Tears running down his cheeks, Roquewei knelt down by the Aslavu’s limp, pale body lying on the ground. “Friend, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

Carefully, he scooped Porgi up and caressed his head. This is all my fault…

Roquewei felt a shiver run through the small creature’s body. Looking down, he saw Porgi’s eyes open slightly. 

“I’m still with you, Friend,” whispered the Aslavu. “But the girl...”

Roquewei's smile of relief quickly turned again into a frown. Gently cradling Porqi in his left arm and gripping his sword in his right hand, Roquewei once again fought against the pain and rushed to catch up with Sofia and her pursuer.

When he found them, the Ymplerim was holding Sofia high in the air. Shadows of a long repressed memory flashed in Roquewei’s mind.

No, not again… Not this again!

The elf fell to his knees, the scene before him paralyzing him. Without any resistance, the pain of the decimated forest around Roquewei crashed over him like a mighty wave. It seemed all he could do was watch as the Ymplerim drained Sofia of her life force energy.

A bright light suddenly appeared, and Sofia fell to the ground. An elven scouting party and their compánaigh burst through the gate, which had been a mere meter and a half from the Ymplerim. Erae and Lyna led the fray, pushing the creature away from the gate and into the forest. 

The Ymplerim, fed by Sofia’s energy, attempted to expand and retaliate against the new arrivals but this group, filled with skilled and experienced warriors, kept it under control. 

Erae, mounted on a Ghyrz, seemed particularly aggressive as he pushed the creature back down the path it had come until it was far enough for Lyna to safely strike it with her arrow. Another brilliant flash and the creature was gone, leaving only a faint ring of green.

Roquewei, still unable to move, watched as Erae rushed to Sofia’s side. He placed Sofia on his Ghryz and together with Harton walked back through the quivering air into Lyfay.

A hand touched his shoulder, and he turned to see Lyna by his side. Though she did not speak, her eyes were filled with concern. Lyna held Roquewei’s distant, fearful gaze for a long moment in silence. Kneeling down, she cupped his face with her hands and gently blew into his face. Roquewei blinked and finally seemed to see Lyna.

“L-Lyna? Lyna…” Roquewei’s body began shaking involuntarily. 

“I-it almost happened again,” Roquewei finally managed to say, his voice wracked with emotion. “The Ymplerim was… It nearly killed… I couldn’t protect… I wasn’t able to get there in time… The same thing almost happened, Lyna, and it would have been my fault… again!” Tears ran down his cheeks, which Lyna gently wiped away with her thumbs. Her own eyes welled up as she tried to console Roquewei.

Lyna leaned forward and touched her forehead against Roquewei’s, allowing the tears to flow. His gaze lowered, Roquewei saw again the pale body of the Aslavu. Gripping Lyna’s arm with his right hand, he said, “I almost lost him, Lyna. I almost lost Porgi!” 

In almost a whisper he repeated, “It almost happened again…” 

Lyna lifted Roquewei’s face to meet her own tear-stained gaze. “But it didn’t. It didn’t happen, Roquewei.” 

Slowly she stood, grabbing Roquewei’s sword in one hand and helping him to his feet with the other. “Come, brother. Let’s take Porgi to the healer.”

Together, the siblings limped back through the gate into the land of Lyfay.